GB2551178A

GB2551178A - System for controlling operating of engine

Info

Publication number: GB2551178A
Application number: GB1610069.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Berger Olaf; Woodrich Marco
Original assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
Current assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
Priority date: 2016-06-09
Filing date: 2016-06-09
Publication date: 2017-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-09
Also published as: GB2551178B; GB201610069D0

Abstract

A system for controlling an engine, eg a gas-fuelled engine, having a charge supply pipe 104, 106 leading to a cylinder 108-112, comprises a light emitter 202, eg a laser, and an analyser coupled to the charge supply line. The analyser receives a light beam 206 from the emitter 202, eg via a reflector 208, and determines the difference between an attribute parameter, eg frequency, wavelength or intensity, of the emitted and received light beams due to absorption of light by the air/fuel mixture. A control module assesses whether the determined difference is greater than a threshold value and, if so, controls ignition of charge in a cylinder, actuation of gas exchange valve(s) or pressure of charge being supplied to the engine. The charge may be an air/fuel mixture; alternatively, the charge may be air, fuel being added via gas admission valve(s) 222. Multiple detection modules (302, fig.3), each comprising an emitter (304), an analyzer (308) and, optionally, a mirror (306), may be provided in the respective branches 106 of an inlet manifold 104.

Description

SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF ENGINE Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates to an engine and more particularly relates to a system for controlling operation of the engine.

Background [0002] With the developments in engine technology, engines are capable of operating on natural gas besides gasoline and diesel. Such engines employ gas valves for metering a predetermined amount of natural gas into air at a location upstream of a cylinder of the engine. The engines also include control devices to actuate and control operation of the gas valves. However, instances of malfunctioning of the control devices may either cause excess natural gas to be inducted into the air or supply of natural gas into air at inappropriate timing. As a result, amount of natural gas in a mixture of air and natural gas would be greater than an allowed range. In such instances, combustion of such mixture in the cylinder may occur in an uncontrolled manner. Accordingly, the engines require a system to detect the amount of natural gas in the mixture, prior to supplying the mixture into the cylinder of the engine.

[0003] US Patent Publication Number 2015/0300273 (’273 patent publication) describes a system and a method for determining quality of natural gas. The system includes a fuel line for supplying natural gas to an engine. An infrared light source is disposed along the fuel line and is configured to emit a beam of infrared light into the fuel line. An infrared light detector detects a transmission value of the natural gas as the beam of infrared light passes through the fuel line. A natural gas quality module receives the transmission value from the infrared light detector and determines a quality value of the natural gas based on amount of infrared light absorbed by methane in the natural gas. An engine control module, including a feed-forward control loop, receives the quality value from the natural gas quality module and alters an operating parameter of the engine in response thereto. However, the ’273 patent publication fails to describe altering operation parameters of the engine based on consideration of the range of fuel in a mixture of air and fuel.

Summary of the Disclosure [0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for controlling operation of an engine having an inlet manifold is provided. The inlet manifold includes a primary pipe branching into at least two secondary pipes. Each of the at least two secondary pipes is in fluid communication with a cylinder of the engine. The system includes a plurality of detection modules, where each of the plurality of detection modules is coupled to one of the at least two secondary pipes. Further, each of the plurality of detection modules includes an emitter coupled to the secondary pipe to emit a light beam associated with an attribute parameter. Each detection module further includes an analyzer configured to receive the light beam from the emitter and determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and the received light beam. An optical path of the light beam between the emitter and the reflector is across a flow of charge within the secondary pipe. The system further includes a control module in communication with the plurality of detection modules to receive inputs from each analyzer. The control module is configured to ascertain whether the determined difference value is greater than a threshold difference value. The control module is also configured to control one of ignition of the charge in a subsequent cylinder of the engine, actuation of inlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, actuation of outlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, and pressure of charge being supplied to the subsequent cylinder, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value.

[0005] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for controlling the operation of the engine is provided. The engine includes a charge supply pipe in fluid communication with a cylinder of the engine. The system includes an emitter coupled to the charge supply pipe and the emitter emits a light beam. The light beam is associated with an attribute parameter. The system further includes an analyzer configured to receive the light beam from the emitter and determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and the received light beam. The system further includes a control module in communication with the analyzer. The control module is configured to ascertain whether the determined difference value is greater than a threshold difference value. The control module is also configured to control one of ignition of the charge in the cylinder of the engine, actuation of inlet valves of the engine, actuation of outlet valves of the engine, and pressure of charge being supplied to the cylinder of the engine during a subsequent operation cycle of the engine, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value.

[0006] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an engine is provided. The engine includes an inlet manifold having a primary pipe branching into at least two secondary pipes. Each of the at least two secondary pipes is in fluid communication with a cylinder of the engine. The engine further includes a plurality of detection modules, each of the plurality of detection modules being coupled to one of the at least two secondary pipes. Further, each detection module includes an emitter coupled to the secondary pipe and the emitter emits a light beam. The emitted light beam is associated with an attribute parameter. Each detection module further includes an analyzer configured to receive the light beam from the emitter and determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and the received light beam. The engine further includes a control module operably coupled to the plurality of detection modules to receive inputs from each analyzer. The control module is configured to ascertain whether the determined difference value is greater than a threshold difference value. The control module is also configured to control one of ignition of the charge in a subsequent cylinder of the engine, actuation of inlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, actuation of outlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, and pressure of charge being supplied to the subsequent cylinder, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value.

[0007] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an engine having a charge supply unit and a detection system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an inlet manifold of the engine showing the detection system deployed therein, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the detection system deployed upstream of a cylinder of the engine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a detection system deployed upstream of the cylinder of the engine, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description [0012] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.

[0013] A schematic diagram of an engine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is illustrated in FIG. 1. As it would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the engine 100 may be a compression ignition engine or a spark ignition engine. For the purpose of this description, the engine 100 is considered to be a multi cylinder gaseous fuel powered engine. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure may also be applicable to a single cylinder engine, albeit with few variations to the embodiments described herein. Further, it will be appreciated that the cylinders of the engine 100 may be disposed in an in-line configuration, a V-configuration, or in any other suitable configuration as may be known to the person skilled in the art.

[0014] The engine 100 includes an inlet manifold 102 having a charge supply pipe 104 branching into multiple secondary pipes 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3, hereinafter individually and collectively referred to as secondary pipe(s) 106. The charge supply pipe 104 is alternatively referred to as a primary pipe 104 in the present disclosure. Each secondary pipe 106 is in fluid communication with a cylinder of the engine 100. For instance, a secondary pipe 106-1 is in fluid communication with a first cylinder 108 of the engine 100, a secondary pipe 106-2 is in fluid communication with a second cylinder 110 of the engine 100, and a secondary pipe 106-3 is in fluid communication with a third cylinder 112 of the engine 100. For the purpose of this description, the first cylinder 108, the second cylinder 110, and the third cylinder 112 are commonly referred to as the cylinder 114. The engine 100 also includes an exhaust manifold 115 in fluid communication with the cylinder 114 of the engine 100 to route exhaust gas from the cylinder 114 to the atmosphere.

[0015] Further, a charge supply unit 116 is deployed in fluid communication with the inlet manifold 102 of the engine 100. The charge supply unit 116 supplies charge into the cylinder 114 via the charge supply pipe 104 and the secondary pipe(s) 106. According to the preferred embodiment, the term “charge” may be understood as air. However, in an example, charge may include a mixture of air and fuel. Furthermore, a detection system 118 is deployed in communication with the inlet manifold 102 of the engine 100. The detection system 118 is configured to determine whether amount of fuel in the mixture of air and fuel is within a predetermined range, prior to supplying the mixture to the cylinder 114. Based on the determination, the detection system 118 is configured to control operation of the engine 100, which is described later in the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the inlet manifold 102 showing the detection system 118 deployed therein, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The detection system 118 is hereinafter referred to as the system 118. In the present embodiment, the system 118 includes an emitter 202 coupled to the primary pipe 104 and at a first end 204 of the primary pipe 104, as shown in FIG. 2. In an example, the emitter 202 may be coupled to an inner wall surface of the primary pipe 104. The emitter 202 is configured to emit a light beam 206, hereinafter referred to as the emitted light beam 206, within the primary pipe 104. In an example, the light beam 206 may be an infrared light beam, such as a laser light beam. As such, the emitter 202 may be a laser emitting device. The emitted light beam 206 is associated with an attribute parameter. The term ‘attribute parameter’ may be understood as a measurable characteristic quantity associated with the emitted light beam 206. For example, the attribute parameter may be one of wavelength, frequency, and intensity.

[0017] The system 118 further includes a reflector 208 coupled to the primary pipe 104 and at a second end 210 of the primary pipe 104. In an example, the reflector 208 may be coupled to the inner wall surface of the primary pipe 104. The reflector 208 is positioned at an appropriate location, such that the emitted light beam 206 is incident on the reflector 208. As such, the reflector 208 reflects the emitted light beam 206. In an example, the reflector 208 may be a mirror In an implementation, the reflector 208 may be coupled at an angle to the inner surface of the primary pipe 104, as shown in FIG. 2. In an example, the reflector 208 may be coupled in a vertically.

[0018] The system 118 further includes an analyzer 214 coupled to the primary pipe 104 at the first end 204 of the primary pipe 104. In an example, the analyzer 214 may be coupled to the inner wall surface of the primary pipe 104. The analyzer 214 is configured to receive a reflected light beam 212 from the reflector 208. The analyzer 214 may be a device used for measuring and analyzing the reflected light beam 212. As such, it will be understood that the analyzer 214 is positioned at an appropriate location to receive the reflected light beam 212. Further, the analyzer 214 may function as an absorber of the reflected light beam 212, so that the analyzer 214 does not further reflect the reflected light beam 212. Although FIG. 2 illustrates the emitted light beam 206 and the reflected light beam 212 inclined to each other on a plane having the FIG. 2, it should be understood that such inclination and arrangement is for the mere purpose of illustration and in no way limit the scope of the present disclosure. It will be understood that the emitted light beam 206 and the reflected light beam 212 may be inclined to each other in a plane perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2.

In such an instance, the emitter 202 and the analyzer 214 may be coupled to one another adjacently, instead of top-bottom arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the emitter 202 and the analyzer 214 may be positioned in a manner, such that the emitted light beam 206 and the reflected light beam 212 trace a common optical path. It will be understood to one skilled in the art that, dimensions of the emitter 202, the reflector 208, and the analyzer 214 may be predetermined based on a dimension of the charge supply pipe 104, so that the emitter 202, the reflector 208, and the analyzer 214 do not cause resistance to flow of charge within the charge supply pipe 104.

[0019] The analyzer 214 is further configured to determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam 206 and the reflected light beam 212. In one example, the analyzer 214 may be configured to receive the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam 206 from the emitter 202. In another example, the analyzer 214 may be configured to determine the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam 206. In yet another example, the analyzer 214 may be pre-fed with the attribute parameter of the light beam 206 being emitted by the emitter 202. For instance, the emitted light beam 206 may be associated with intensity ‘Ii’ and the reflected light beam 212 may be associated with intensity ‘I2’. In such cases, the analyzer 214 determines a difference between the intensities of the emitted light beam 206 and the reflected light beam 212. Similarly, the analyzer 214 may be configured to determine difference between other attribute parameters of the emitted light beam 206 and the reflected light beam 212.

[0020] The system 118 further includes a control module 216 in communication with the analyzer 214. In an example, the control module 216 may be a processor may include a single processing unit or a number of processing units, all of which include multiple computing units. The explicit use of the term ‘processor’ should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing a software application. Rather, in this example, the control module 216 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any device that is capable of manipulating signals based on operational instructions. Among the capabilities mentioned herein, the control module 216 may also be configured to receive, transmit, and execute computer-readable instructions.

[0021] Owing to the communication with the analyzer 214, the control module 216 is configured to receive the determined difference value from the analyzer 214. Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 216 is configured to ascertain whether the determined difference value is greater than a threshold difference value. The term ‘threshold difference value’ may be understood as a maximum difference value that can be allowed without affecting operation of the engine 100. Additional aspects relating to the threshold difference value will be described later in the description with respect to operation of the engine 100. The threshold difference value also varies based on size of the primary pipe 104 and capacity of the emitter 202. Accordingly, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value, based on size of the primary pipe 104 and capacity of the emitter 202, the control module 216 may be pre-fed with the threshold difference value. Upon such ascertaining, the control module 216 is configured to control ignition of charge in the cylinder 114 of the engine 100, or control actuation of inlet valves (not shown) of the engine 100, or control actuation of outlet valves (not shown) of the engine 100, or control pressure of the charge being supplied to the cylinder 114 of the engine 100, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value.

[0022] For the purpose of controlling operation of components of the engine 100 as mentioned above, the control module 216 is further configured to generate an input signal when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value. In an example, the input signal may be a current signal or a voltage signal. For instance, a sensor 218 may be deployed in the control module 216. The sensor 218 may be capable of generating the current signal or the voltage signal. Further, the control module 216 may be in communication with a valve actuation unit 220, such as an electromechanical valve actuator. The valve actuation unit 220 may be configured to control actuation of the inlet valves or the outlet valves based on the input signal received from the control module 216.

[0023] Furthermore, the engine 100 includes gas admission valves located upstream of the cylinder 114. In particular, with reference to FIG. 2, the engine 100 includes a first gas admission valve 222 located in the secondary pipe 106-1 upstream of the first cylinder 108, a second gas admission valve 224 located in the secondary pipe 106-2 upstream of the second cylinder 110, and a third gas admission valve 226 located in the secondary pipe 106-3 upstream of the third cylinder 112. The gas admission valves mentioned herein are adapted to induct gaseous fuel, such as natural gas or bio gas, into the charge flowing in respective secondary pipes 106. In an example, the gas admission valves may be adapted to induct atomized liquid fuel into the charge. In cases where the charge in a mixture of air and fuel, further induction of fuel into the charge may result in supply of rich mixture to the cylinder 114.

[0024] In operation, the charge supply unit 116 supplies charge into the primary pipe 104. The supplied charge flows through the primary pipe 104 in a direction indicated by arrows ‘FI’ and also into the secondary pipes 106 in a direction indicated by arrows ‘F2\ The directional arrows ‘FI’ and ‘F2’ are herein used merely for the purpose of illustration and in no way limit the scope of the present disclosure. The charge flowing into each secondary pipe 106 is collected in respective secondary pipe 106 and restricted in movement into respective cylinder 114 by the inlet valves. Based on actuation, a respective gas admission valve 222, 224, or 226 inducts gaseous fuel into the charge present in the respective secondary pipe 106. It should be understood that the actuation of the gas admission valve 222, 224, or 226 is based on a firing order of the engine 100.

[0025] For instance, the first gas admission valve 222 may be considered to induct gaseous fuel into the charge present in the secondary pipe 106-1, based on the firing order of the engine 100. The gaseous fuel inducted into the charge in the secondary pipe 106-1 causes development of turbulence in the secondary pipe 106-1, thereby allowing mixing of the gaseous fuel with the charge present in the secondary pipe 106-1. In such a condition, a portion of the mixture of charge and gaseous fuel is forced outward of the secondary pipe 106-1 and into the primary pipe 104. As such, the portion of the mixture of charge and gaseous fuel encroaches into the primary pipe 104, as indicated by the encircled portion Έ’.

[0026] The mixture of charge and gaseous fuel present within the encircled portion Έ’ intervenes with the emitted light beam 206, as shown in FIG. 2. The emitted light beam 206 is further incident on the reflector 208 and is reflected. The reflected light beam 212 is received by the analyzer 214. An optical path of the light beam, such as the emitted light beam 206 and the reflected light beam 212, between the emitter 202 and the reflector 208 is along a flow of charge in the primary pipe 104. In addition, the emitter 202, the reflector 208, and the analyzer 214 are positioned in a manner, such that the optical path is proximal to a junction where the primary pipe 104 branches into the secondary pipes 106.

[0027] Further, the analyzer 214 determines the difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam 206 and the reflected light beam 212. The determined difference value is indicative of amount of light absorbed by the mixture of charge and gaseous fuel in the secondary pipe 106-1. More particularly, determined difference value is indicative of amount of light absorbed by the mixture of charge and gaseous fuel in the encircled portion Έ’. In other words, presence of excess amount of gaseous fuel in the mixture of charge and gaseous fuel renders the mixture dense, thereby absorbing light. The presence of excess amount of gaseous fuel in the mixture may be due to, but not limited to, malfunctioning of the gas admission valve 222. Simultaneously, based on actuation by the valve actuation unit 220, the inlet valves of the first cylinder 108 open, thereby allowing the mixture of charge and gaseous fuel into the first cylinder 108.

[0028] Furthermore, the control module 216 ascertains whether the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value. When the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value, the control module 216 generates the input signal via the sensor 218. The control module 216 further controls actuation of the inlet valves or the outlet valves of a subsequent cylinder, such as the third cylinder 112, based on the firing order of the engine 100. In another implementation, the control module 216 may be configured to control actuation of the inlet valves or the outlet valves of a subsequent cylinder, such as the second cylinder 110, based on in-line configuration of the engine 100. The control module 216 may also control ignition of charge in the third cylinder 112 or control pressure of the charge being supplied to the third cylinder 112. In one implementation, the input signal may be communicated to an electronic control unit (ECU) (not shown) of the engine 100 to perform the control operations mentioned hereinabove with respect to the control module 216.

[0029] However, in case the determined difference value is less than the threshold difference value, the control module 216 does not generate the input signal and does not perform the above mentioned control operations. Subsequently, next gas admission valve as per the firing order or as per the inline configuration of the engine 100, for example the third gas admission valve 226 or the second gas admission valve 224, respectively, inducts gas into the charge in the secondary pipe 106-3. Accordingly, the mixture of charge and gaseous fuel encroaches into the primary pipe 104 from the secondary pipe 106-3 and intervenes with the emitted light beam 206. Further, the emitted light beam 206 is reflected by the reflector 208 and the analyzer 214 receives the reflected light beam 212. Furthermore, the control module 216 ascertains whether the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value. The control module 216 further performs the control operation on a subsequent cylinder, such as the second cylinder 110, based on the firing order. Alternatively, the control module 216 may perform the control operation on a subsequent cylinder based on the in-line configuration of the engine 100.

[0030] Whilst the description herein describes the operation of the system 118 with respect to multi-cylinder engine, such as the engine 100, it will be appreciated that the system 118 may be deployed in a single-cylinder engine as well. In case of the single-cylinder engine, the emitter 202, the reflector 208, and the analyzer 214 may be coupled to the charge supply pipe 104 in a manner described herein with respect to the above embodiments. Since the singlecylinder engine includes a single secondary pipe branching from the charge supply pipe 104, the system 118 may be coupled either to the charge supply pipe 104 or to the single secondary pipe. In addition, based on the determined difference value, the control module 216 may be configured to control ignition of charge in the cylinder 114 of the engine 100, actuation of inlet valves of the engine 100, actuation of outlet valves of the engine 100, and pressure of the charge being supplied to the cylinder during a subsequent operation cycle of the engine 100, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value. The subsequent operation cycle may be understood as a subsequent combustion cycle of the engine 100.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the secondary pipe 106-1 and the system 118 coupled to the secondary pipe 106-1 upstream of the first cylinder 108, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the system 118 is coupled to the secondary pipe 106-1 instead of the primary pipe 104. As such, individual systems 118 may be coupled to each secondary pipe 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3 rather than having a common system 118 as described in the previous embodiments. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the system 118 may include multiple detection modules 302 and each of the multiple detection modules 302 may be coupled to the secondary pipe 106-1, 106-2, and 106-3. Further, each detection module 302 includes an emitter 304, a reflector 306, and an analyzer 308.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the emitter 304 is coupled to the secondary pipe 106-1. In one example, the emitter 304 may be coupled to an inner surface of the secondary pipe 106-1. In another example, the emitter 304 may be coupled at an outer surface of the secondary pipe 106-1. In such a case, an aperture may be provided in the secondary pipe 106-1, so that the emitter 304 can be coupled in a manner to emit a light beam 310 into the secondary pipe 106-1. In this arrangement, an optical path of the emitted light beam 310 and a reflected light beam 312 is across flow of charge through the secondary pipe 106-1. Further, placement of the analyzer 308 may be in accordance with the previous embodiments described above. In addition, the emitter 304, the reflector 306, and the analyzer 308 may be positioned in a manner such that the optical path of the emitted light beam 310 and the reflected light beam 312 is proximal to the gas admission valve 222. Similarly, subsequent detection modules (not shown) may be coupled to the secondary pipes 106-2 and 106-3. In such an arrangement, the control module 216 may be coupled to each analyzer 308 of each detection module 302.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the secondary pipe 106-1 and a detection system 402 coupled to the secondary pipe 106-1 upstream of the first cylinder 108, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the detection system 402 includes an emitter 404 coupled to one side on the secondary pipe 106-1. The detection system 402 further includes an analyzer 406 coupled to the secondary pipe 106-1 at a position diagonally opposite with respect to the emitter 404. In this embodiment, the detection system 402 does not employ a reflector to reflect the emitted light beam. Instead, the analyzer 406 is positioned in place of the reflector to receive the emitted light beam. The analyzer 406 is further configured to determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and the received light beam. Further, the control module 216 is coupled to the analyzer 406 to perform various control operations as described in previous embodiments. It will be understood that this embodiment may be implemented in a multi-cylinder engine and a single cylinder engine.

[0034] Various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability [0035] The present disclosure describes the system 118 for controlling operation of the engine 100. The analyzer 214 and the control module 216 aid in determining amount of light absorbed by the charge, such as the mixture of air and gaseous fuel, at a location upstream of the cylinder 114. The control module 216 is further configured to control operation of a subsequent cylinder according to the firing order of the engine 100 or the in-line configuration of the engine 100, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value. Owing to such an arrangement, the system 118 of the present disclosure provides to control or eliminate inappropriate combustion of the charge in the subsequent cylinder. In other words, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value, the control module 216 controls ignition of the charge in the subsequent cylinder, or controls actuation of inlet and outlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, or controls pressure of the charge being supplied to the subsequent cylinder. Accordingly, initiation or occurrence of irregular combustion in the subsequent cylinder is controlled, which was otherwise not possible in conventional systems. Therefore, any damage to the engine 100 is eliminated. In addition, the system 118 of the present disclosure addresses any malfunctioning of the gas admission valves employed in the inlet manifold 102.

[0036] Additionally, in cases where the system 118 includes multiple detection modules 302, the system 118 may be capable of determining the difference value more efficiently. Accordingly, controlling operation of the engine 100 may be achieved on a real-time basis.

[0037] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

Claim What is claimed is:

1. A system for controlling operation of an engine having an inlet manifold, the inlet manifold includes a primary pipe branching into at least two secondary pipes, the system comprising: a plurality of detection modules, each of the plurality of detection modules coupled to one of the at least two secondary pipes, each of the at least two secondary pipes is in fluid communication with a cylinder of the engine, wherein each of the plurality of detection modules comprises: an emitter coupled to the secondary pipe to emit a light beam, the emitted light beam being associated with an attribute parameter; and an analyzer configured to: receive the light beam from the emitter, wherein an optical path of the light beam between the emitter and the analyzer is across a flow of charge within the secondary pipe; and determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and received light beam; and a control module in communication with the plurality of detection modules to receive inputs from each analyzer, the control module configured to: ascertain whether the determined difference value is greater than a threshold difference value; and control one of ignition of the charge in a subsequent cylinder of the engine, actuation of inlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, actuation of outlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, and pressure of charge being supplied to the subsequent cylinder, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to generate an input signal when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold value.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the control module is in communication with a valve actuation unit of the engine, the valve actuation unit configured to control actuation of one of the inlet valves and the outlet valves based on the input signal from the control module.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the input signal is one of a current signal and a voltage signal.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a reflector coupled to the secondary pipe to reflect the light beam emitted by the emitter, wherein the analyzer is configured to: receive the light beam reflected by the reflector; and determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and reflected light beam.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical path of the light beam is defined proximal to a location of a gas admission valve in the secondary pipe.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the attribute parameter of the light beam is one of wavelength, frequency, and intensity.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the determined difference value is indicative of amount of light absorbed by the charge in the secondary pipe.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the emitter is a laser emitting device.

10. A system for controlling operation of an engine, the engine having a charge supply line in fluid communication with a cylinder of the engine, the system comprising: an emitter coupled to the charge supply pipe, the emitter emits a light beam, wherein the light beam is associated with an attribute parameter; an analyzer coupled to the charge supply pipe and configured to: receive the light beam from the emitter; and determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and received light beam; and a control module in communication with the analyzer, the control module configured to: ascertain whether the determined difference value is greater than a threshold difference value; and control one of ignition of charge in the cylinder of the engine, actuation of inlet valves of the engine, actuation of outlet valves of the engine, and pressure of the charge being supplied to the cylinder of the engine during a subsequent operation cycle of the engine, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the control module is configured to generate an input signal when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold value.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the control module is in communication with a valve actuation unit of the engine, the valve actuation unit configured to control actuation of one of the inlet valves and the outlet valves based on the input signal from the control module.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the input signal is one of a current signal and a voltage signal.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the attribute parameter is one of wavelength, frequency, and intensity'.

15. The system of claim 10 further comprising a reflector coupled to the secondary pipe to reflect the light beam emitted by the emitter, wherein the analyzer is configured to: receive the light beam reflected by the reflector; and determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and reflected light beam.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the emitter is a laser emitting device.

17. An engine comprising: an inlet manifold having a primary pipe for receiving charge therein, the primary pipe branching into at least two secondary pipes, each of the at least two secondary pipes is in fluid communication with a cylinder of the engine; a plurality of detection modules, each of the plurality of detection modules coupled to one of the at least two secondary pipes and comprising: an emitter coupled to the secondary pipe to emit a light beam, the emitted light beam being associated with an attribute parameter; and an analyzer coupled to the secondary pipe and configured to: receive the light beam from the emitter, wherein an optical path of the light beam between the emitter and the analyzer is across a flow of charge within the secondary pipe; and determine a difference between value of the attribute parameter of the emitted light beam and received light beam; and a control module in communication with the plurality of detection modules to receive inputs from each analyzer, the control module configured to: ascertain whether the determined difference value is greater than a threshold difference value; and control one of ignition of the charge in a subsequent cylinder of the engine, actuation of inlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, actuation of outlet valves of the subsequent cylinder, and pressure of charge being supplied to the subsequent cylinder, when the determined difference value is greater than the threshold difference value.

18. The engine of claim 17, wherein the emitter is a laser emitting device.